Yarn & String

with Cherril Doty & Marsh Scott

There are several ways to use yarn and string in mixed-media artwork. It can be laid down as a textural background, used for dimensional outlining, or utilized as “drawing” material. You can also use yarn and string to create abstract or representational images or to hand-sew onto a piece for visual interest or highlighting.

Materials

• Yarn, string, embroidery floss, ribbon, cord, paper ribbon, twine, etc.

• Heavy and medium acrylic gel

• Acrylic medium (matte or gloss)

• Painted substrates, such as canvas, board, or heavy paper

• Scissors

• Container of water

• Pencil

• Spray bottle of water for wetting

• Wood glue or white glue

• 1” brushes

• Pushpins

• Awl or nail tool

• Hammer

• Small block of wood

• Tapestry needle

• Hot glue gun

Dimensional Outlining

Step One Select your outline material such as ribbon or cord. Use a pencil to draw the design on your chosen painted substrate.

Step Two Wet the ribbon or cord to make it malleable.

Step Three Use a brush to cover the surface with the acrylic gel.

Step Four Lay the ribbon or cord over the design and press down with your fingers. Add more gel if necessary (it will dry clear). Continue adding ribbon or cord to complete your design. Let dry.

Step Five When completely dry, cover the entire piece once more with gel.

Textural Background Swirls

Step One Sketch a simple swirl design on a rigid substrate. Wet the string. Cut pieces of yarn or string in a variety of lengths from 1/4" to 8".

Step Two Apply glue to the longest line of your design. Arrange the longest pieces of string over the main lines. Continue to cover your design with the shorter pieces.

Step Three Once the main design is completed, begin filling it in by repeating lines using smaller and smaller pieces. Any gaps can be filled in at the end with 1/4” or 1/2” pieces.

Step Four When thoroughly dry, apply two or three coats of gel. If you used colored string, use medium gel (it will dry clear).

Sewing with Yarn & String

Use a blank canvas or heavy paper substrate to “sew” or “paint” (see opposite) with colorful yarn, embroidery floss, or ribbon.

On a painted substrate, use a pencil to mark dots in groups of three to indicate where to punch holes. Lines can run side-by-side or crisscross. Place substrate on a wood block and use an awl or a nail tool to punch holes just large enough for the needle to pass through. Cut three pieces of yarn or string three inches longer than each line you wish to create. Thread the needle and pass through the holes as desired; tack the yarn in place on the back with a hot glue gun.

Painting with Yarn & String

Step One Apply heavy gel over the entire substrate with a brush.

Step Two Set the ribbon onto the gel and press firmly with your fingers. You can also wrap the ribbon or floss around the entire canvas. As you continue, you may stop to let the pieces dry if they begin to move too much.

Step Three Drop in small pieces of ribbon or floss to fill in blank areas or to create accents.

Step Four When finished, coat the entire piece with an acrylic medium or gel.